2. Simplify: \( 4^{-2} \)

To simplify \( 4^{-2} \), remember that raising a number to a negative exponent means taking the reciprocal. So, \( 4^{-2} = \frac{1}{4^2} \). Now calculate \( 4^2 \), which is \( 16 \). Therefore, the simplified answer is \( \frac{1}{16} \). Another fun way to think about it: \( 4^{-2} \) can be interpreted as “how much of the number 16 do we have if we take the number 4 and flip it twice?” A little math magic reveals it’s just a simple flip to \( \frac{1}{16} \)!